Live Fish Carrier Market

Live Fish Carrier Market Outlook (2025 to 2035)

The live fish carrier market is valued at USD 3,700 million in 2025. As per Fact.MR analysis, the industry will grow at a CAGR of 4.9% and reach USD 5,970 million by 2035.

Fact.MR research revealed that in 2024, Norwegian, Japanese, and Chinese operators made their fleet upgrades, particularly shifting to low-emission and hybrid power systems, the top priority. This was based on increasingly demanding environmental regulations reducing greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions for marine transport.

Installation of new carriers with sophisticated oxygen control systems and real-time water quality monitoring became a priority, increasing fish survival rates for long-haul transport while meeting changing maritime safety standards.

Operational conditions differed widely across regions. European nations moved toward harmonizing standards for live fish handling and vessel emissions, contributing to higher fleet efficiency and lower mortality rates during voyages. Meanwhile, Southeast Asian countries grappled with inconsistent cold chain infrastructure, delays at smaller ports, and variable water treatment practices, resulting in periodic supply chain disruptions.

The analysis indicates that some of the major aquaculture companies reacted by embracing integrated operations-placing logistics, storage, and rearing facilities under one umbrella to minimize risk and enhance product traceability.

In 2025, the sector is on the verge of a decade of steady growth, with increased offshore aquaculture projects and growing global demand for seafood. Governments will invest in upgrading ports, harmonized certification procedures, and digital monitoring technologies to increase resilience in operations.

Fact.MR estimates that shipbuilding consolidation will pick up pace as smart-enabled carriers become the norm in the industry. These ships will increasingly have automated environmental controls and data integration to optimize conditions during transit, guaranteeing regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value
Estimated Global Size in 2025	USD 193.37 Billion
Projected Global Size in 2035	USD 1148.33 Billion
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	19.5%

Fact.MR Survey Results for Industry Dynamics Based on Stakeholder Perspectives

(Surveyed Q4 2024, n=500 stakeholder participants evenly distributed across manufacturers, distributors, end-users in the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and South Korea)

Fact.MR’s Q4 2024 survey of 500 stakeholders across the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and South Korea reveals that compliance with animal welfare regulations and the durability of equipment are top priorities. Globally, 82% ranked welfare compliance as critical, while 76% emphasized durable materials like steel and aluminum for long-term value.

Regional priorities diverged: U.S. stakeholders emphasized automation to mitigate labor shortages, whereas Western Europe emphasized sustainability in materials and emissions . In Japan and South Korea, space efficiency is dictated by the prevalence of land shortage, influencing demand for short as much as foldable types .

Technology adoption had significant regional variations. US ranchers took the lead with 58% using IoT-enabled chutes, while only 22% in Japan had adopted advanced technology due to cost and scale limitations. T

here was also moderate adoption in Western Europe; in particular, Germany, which operates under the most stringent EU compliance, drove demand for such systems. Steel remained the material of choice globally, but Western Europe preferred aluminum for its mobility and recyclability, while Asian regions favored hybrid models for better corrosion protection and cost-efficiency .

Price sensitivity and logistical concerns remain. Increasing prices of steel and aluminum were cited by the majority of stakeholders as barriers to implementation. U.S. and European customers had some premium tolerance for automation, while lower-cost or leased alternatives were preferred by Asian stakeholders. Automation, modularity, and green production technologies are anticipated to receive future investments .

Impact of Government Regulation

Country/Region	Regulatory Impact and Mandatory Certifications
United States	Exporters must comply with USDA APHIS regulations for live aquatic animal transport, including mandatory health certification and facility registration under the APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility (RAEF) program. Classification by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is also required for vessel safety and seaworthiness .
European Union	Operators must adhere to Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 on hygiene rules for food of animal origin. The IUU Regulation also mandates catch documentation to verify the legal sourcing of live fish .
South Korea	The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries mandates that a sanitary health certificate accompany imported live fish. Standards align with Korea's quarantine and SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) measures to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases .
Canada	The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requires an import permit and specific health certifications to protect national aquatic ecosystems. U.S. exporters must meet health criteria outlined by CFIA and NOAA .
Malaysia	All marine ornamental and aquaculture fish imports must include a valid fish health certificate from an approved authority in the exporting country to ensure disease-free status .

Market Analysis

The industry is entering a phase of steady growth, driven by the global rise in offshore aquaculture and stricter regulations on marine sustainability. Demand is shifting toward smart-enabled, low-emission vessels, favoring manufacturers with advanced engineering capabilities as well as integrated systems. Operators that fail to modernize fleets or align with new compliance standards risk reduced access to export-driven industries and higher mortality losses.

Top Strategic Imperatives, Risk Assessment, and Watchlist for Stakeholders

To achieve long-term competitiveness and address growing aquaculture needs, industry players in this sector need to respond to three imperatives. Modernizing the fleet should first be focused on intelligent environment controls and hybrid propulsion technology to strengthen reliability and even cope with tighter emission controls .

Second, design of the ship should be compliant with international standards relating to ammonia discharge, traceability and biosecurity in the interests of the export routes . Third, businesses should undertake vertical integration and strategic consolidation to strengthen cold-chain logistics, maximize fleet use, and get access to proprietary technologies through M&A and R&D alliances .

Important risks are higher downtime due to older fleets, a high-probability, and a high-impact problem regarding fish survival and contractual performance. Regulatory divergence in trading regions represents a moderate-probability, high-impact challenge, and could slow certifications and make cross-border operations harder. A third issue is a shortage of experienced labor to make smart retrofits-a moderate-probability, medium-impact limitation on modernization.

In the coming 12 months, stakeholders will need to accelerate feasibility studies on AI-based oxygenation systems, establish OEM collaboration loops to comply with evolving hybrid standards and roll out retrofit incentive pilots via channel partners in regions. These steps will drive accelerated smart fleet upgrades and position operators to be able to address tougher compliance requirements while mitigating transit-related losses.

For the Boardroom

To stay ahead, companies must immediately reassess their fleet investment roadmap to prioritize smart-enabled, low-emission vessel upgrades that meet evolving regulatory and operational benchmarks. This intelligence highlights a clear pivot in the industry toward integrated oxygenation, AI-based monitoring, and modular retrofits-technologies no longer optional but mission-critical for competitiveness.

Moving forward, firms must reallocate capital toward fleet automation, form regional compliance task forces, and expand co-development with OEMs to stay ahead of certification curves and client demands. This strategic shift will not only safeguard trade access but also unlock new lanes in offshore aquaculture and cross-border seafood logistics.

Segment-wise Analysis

By Carrier Type

The saltwater carrier segment is expected to be the most profitable in this category, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period. This segment leads due to its dominant role in supporting marine aquaculture, particularly in high-output regions such as Norway, Canada, and Chile. Saltwater carriers are designed for long-haul, high-volume operations, transporting species like salmon and sea bream across international supply chains.

Fact.MR analysis suggests their higher capacity, regulatory readiness, and suitability for offshore transport make them indispensable to global seafood logistics. Growing investments in AI-driven oxygenation and ammonia-neutral propulsion systems further strengthen their profitability outlook, especially as nations impose stricter animal welfare and traceability regulations across marine transport.

By Length

The <50 meter vessel category is the least lucrative in this segment, expected to grow at a CAGR of just 3.5% during the assessment period. These short-length vessels cater primarily to inland and short-haul operations, offering limited scalability. Designed for low-volume, cost-sensitive aquaculture logistics, their outdated features and limited capacity reduce long-term viability.

Fact.MR analysis found that as aquaculture operations scale up globally, demand is shifting toward mid and large-sized vessels capable of meeting compliance and traceability standards. While <50 m units remain viable in developing regions, modernization trends across Europe and East Asia will likely marginalize their relevance in the years ahead as governments and producers increasingly prioritize fleet capacity and regulatory adaptability.

By Capacity

The <2,500 m³ capacity segment is expected to be the least lucrative, growing at a CAGR of only 3.2% from 2025 to 2035. This segment supports hyper-local fish transport and rural aquaculture operations. However, the global trend toward offshore farming, export-oriented logistics, and higher throughput vessels has led to the diminishing relevance of low-capacity carriers.

Fact.MR analysis suggests that their operational limitations and poor upgrade feasibility will accelerate their decline in commercial settings. As countries implement smarter, tech-integrated fleets with modular mid-capacity designs, <2,500 m³ vessels will struggle to meet quality and sustainability benchmarks. Their continued use will largely depend on subsidies and localized needs, not strategic growth investments from logistics operators or aquaculture majors.

Country-wise Insights

U.S.

In the U.S., the industry is likely to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. This growth is propelled by increasing demand for sustainable seafood logistics, particularly in coastal aquaculture hubs such as Alaska, Maine, and the Pacific Northwest.

Fact.MR analysis found that public investment in hybrid vessel technologies and real-time water monitoring systems is accelerating. Government-backed certification programs from USDA and APHIS are enforcing stricter quality and welfare standards for live aquatic exports, fostering a push toward smart retrofits and modular designs .

Additionally, the U.S. benefits from an advanced cold-chain and maritime infrastructure, enabling long-distance and multi-species transportation with minimal mortality rates. Strategic alignment with food safety regulations and consumer traceability preferences is driving OEMs and logistics providers to co-develop integrated aquaculture transport solutions. The country’s robust R&D environment and incentive structures are also attracting private equity investment in fleet modernization, strengthening the U.S.’s leadership position in premium seafood logistics.

UK

UK’s sales are expected to register a CAGR of 4.6% in the assessment term. The sector in the UK is driven by Scotland's thriving salmon aquaculture industry, which necessitates frequent, regulated live fish transport across domestic and EU routes.

Fact.MR analysis suggests that operators are adopting hybrid propulsion systems and onboard diagnostic tools in response to environmental oversight by DEFRA and the Environment Agency. Additionally, post-Brexit logistical realignments are encouraging investment in domestic vessels equipped for traceability and welfare compliance.

Despite promising developments, the UK faces certain structural constraints. Labor shortages in shipbuilding and slower port-side automation have led to moderate fleet renewal rates. However, the country’s circular economy goals and emphasis on decarbonized marine logistics are influencing investment in recyclable and energy-efficient carrier designs. Government funding and emerging public-private collaborations are expected to play a pivotal role in maintaining compliance and boosting exports to high-value European destinations.

France

The industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 4.4% CAGR in France in the assessment period. The expansion of aquaculture activity in regions like Brittany and Occitanie is fostering demand for welfare-compliant live fish transport systems.

Fact.MR analysis found that French operators are under increasing pressure to align with the EU's Animal Welfare Strategy 2023-2027 and IUU regulations, which have led to retrofits of older vessels with improved water control and oxygenation systems . These changes are critical for preserving fish health during short- and mid-haul deliveries.

Nevertheless, France’s fragmented port infrastructure and limited high-spec shipbuilding capacity have slowed the pace of fleet modernization. The government’s national aquaculture roadmap has introduced funding for sustainable logistics, yet execution lags behind peers like Germany and Norway. As consumer demand for organic and traceable seafood grows, France is expected to channel more capital into modernizing its aquaculture transport networks, balancing regulatory compliance with operational efficiency.

Germany

In Germany, the landscape of the industry is anticipated to achieve a CAGR of 5.0% from 2025 to 2035. Strong alignment with EU environmental regulations, high seafood demand, and a competitive domestic manufacturing base support this growth.

Fact.MR analysis suggests that vessel modernization in Germany is closely tied to the EU Green Deal and local carbon reduction targets. Operators are integrating ammonia-neutral propulsion systems, AI-based diagnostics, and recyclable components to meet stringent sustainability benchmarks .

Germany's robust inland aquaculture sector, particularly in trout and carp farming, is creating new use cases for small- to mid-capacity live carriers. Additionally, federal research funding is encouraging innovations in modular fish transport and smart traceability systems. As global demand for ethically sourced seafood rises, Germany’s mature engineering ecosystem and commitment to green logistics position it as a model for compliance-driven innovation in the European transport sector.

Italy

In Italy, the industry is projected to grow at a 4.2% CAGR during the forecast period. Growth stems from aquaculture development in regions such as Apulia, Sicily, and Tuscany, where mid-range live carriers are essential for marine species like sea bream and sea bass.

An analysis by Fact.MR has indicated that some regulatory reforms and aquaculture funding from the European Union have been translated into some selective enhancement in specific areas of transport infrastructure and vessel standard. Meanwhile, such other huddles as bureaucratic delays and fragmentation of regulatory frameworks across different regions continue to slow down the pace of technology adoption.

Italy's domestic shipyards are looking toward hybrid designs-from Northern European OEMs for significantly limited production. Passion still fuels by expensive exports to Eastern Europe and North Africa, that's holding the carrier. Little national retrofitting capacity makes this unscalable in size. Increased consumer focus on traceability pushes on-board tracking systems, and government-backed incentives for sustainable transport could complement these efforts at modernization in the medium term.

South Korea

In South Korea, the sector is estimated to expand by a CAGR of 4.8% between 2025 and 2035. Government incentives and green tax credits aimed at stimulating low-emission and AI-assisted logistics systems favor the growth pattern.

According to Fact.MR analysis, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries propels this growth momentum by promoting fleet modernization via public-private partnerships and digital innovation hubs. South Korea has already begun piloting robotic environmental control on board ships, which would improve survival rates during regional transport.

Fleet builders in Busan and Yeosu take advantage of this policy evolution by building compact and automated vessels to suit aquaculture requirements. Increased domestic consumption of seafood and booming export markets in Southeast Asia now evoke further transport requirements. Aligning regulations with advanced shipbuilding capabilities, South Korea should be at the forefront of smart logistics for marine aquaculture.

Japan

Japan’s sales are expected to develop at a CAGR of 4.1% during the period 2025-2035. The industry remains stable but constrained by aging infrastructure and high retrofitting costs.

Fact.MR analysis found that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has initiated funding for vessel modernization and sustainable aquaculture, though adoption rates vary by region . Areas like Kyushu and Shikoku remain priority zones for future investment due to higher aquaculture output.

Japan’s shipyards are cautiously transitioning toward lightweight and smart-integrated vessels, but investment behavior remains risk-averse. While demand for domestic fish like yellowtail and eel is robust, limited automation and complex certification processes are slowing fleet turnover.

Nonetheless, rising interest in food traceability and sustainability may incentivize new players to innovate. If digital regulations are standardized and subsidy access improves, Japan’s potential in aquaculture logistics could accelerate post-2030.

China

The aquaculture logistics industry in China is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025 to 2035. This strong growth is driven by expanding offshore aquaculture, high domestic seafood consumption, and aggressive investment under China's 14th Five-Year Plan.

The analysis of Fact.MR indicates that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is promoting automated and green-compliant vessel technologies through subsidies as well as port upgrades . Shandong and Zhejiang shipyards quickly introduced large-capacity ships for long-distance domestic and regional routes.

China’s vertically integrated seafood sector, spanning hatcheries, cold-chain infrastructure, and export logistics, offers a significant competitive edge. Deployment of ammonia-reduction systems and onboard analytics has become standard for new fleets. As traceability and sustainability mandates gain global importance, China is poised to scale its aquaculture transport ecosystem, both to meet internal demands and to dominate Southeast Asian seafood corridors.

Australia-New Zealand

In New Zealand and Australia, the sector is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% within the assessment period. Aquaculture vessels are increasingly needed in regional hubs like Tasmania and South Australia for high-value species like salmon and tuna; according to the Fact.MR analysis, the regulatory regimes of AQIS and MPI have made a strong case for the adoption of transport systems that stress biosecurity and environmental compliance . But cost-effectiveness is still challenged by long distances and limited port capacity.

Both countries are also sponsoring grants for the sustainable upgrade of the vessels and are working with Scandinavian OEMs to fill in shipbuilding gaps. Despite minimal domestic manufacturing, local demand for premium seafood and traceability standards exert an influence by embedding smart oxygenation and temperature controls. Through policy alignment and progressively funded regional innovation pilots, a moderate but steady growth in this niche but vital segment is anticipated.

Competitive Landscape

The industry is moving toward consolidation, with the top players such as AquaShip, Sølvtrans, and Kongsberg Maritime growing through mergers, innovation, and fleet consolidation. Firms are competing on the basis of sustainable ship technologies, bundled service portfolios, and cross-border alliances in line with tighter animal welfare as well as traceability regulations.

AquaShip greatly improved its international positioning in December 2024 when it merged with FSV Group to create the world's second-largest aquaculture service provider in the maritime sector. Together, the total fleet of 60 vessels extends the group's ability in the transportation of live fish, treatment, and on-site support services. The combination represents a strategic move towards the operation of multi-functional vessels within Northern Europe.

Kongsberg Maritime enhanced its technological lead in May 2024 with a contract with Eidsvaag AS to design and outfit two salmon forage carriers with hybrid propulsion and dynamic positioning systems, enabling more efficient offshore farming logistics.

MacGregor, which is owned by Cargotec, meanwhile provides integrated live fish handling systems as opposed to end-to-end transport services, specializing as a vital component supplier for retrofit and new build activities across the world. These advances highlight the trend in the industry toward integrated operations and technology-based service delivery.

Competition Analysis

AquaShip (20-25% share) will continue to lead the live fish carrier industry in 2025, underpinned by its emphasis on environmentally friendly wellbore operations and low-emission transport-optimized fleet. The company's expertise in sustainable aquaculture logistics makes it well-placed in Northern Europe, where traceability and regulatory compliance are prime drivers. Its up-to-date fleet and investment in onboard environmental control systems guarantee a long-term competitive edge.

Sølvtrans (15-20%), the globe's largest operator of wellboats, remains at the top in Atlantic salmon shipping, particularly along Norwegian and Scottish farming regions. Its size, efficiency of operation, and direct routes for salmon logistics form the basis of its strong position. Mowi (10-15%), with vertically integrated business practices, achieves in-house logistics through own proprietary wellboats. It minimizes the use of third-party operators and enables closer control of quality while handling live fish.

Havyard (8-12%) is a key player in constructing live fish carriers and providing new vessel designs to leading operators. Kongsberg (5-10%) concentrates on advanced solutions, such as automation and monitoring equipment that improve fish welfare during transportation. MacGregor (5-8%), a Cargotec company, provides integrated live fish handling systems instead of full transport services, making a niche as a key component supplier for retrofit and new build operations worldwide.

Other Key Players

• Verksted AS
• Adria Winch
• Arctic Group
• Rolls-Royce
• Oliverdesign
• Palfinger Marine
• Peak Marine Tech
• Salt Ship Design
• Lerøy Havfisk
• Sterner AS
• Skipskompetanse AS
• Moen Marin
• MMC First Process
• Sølvtrans
• Mowi
• Other Prominent Players

Live Fish Carrier Market Segmentation

• By Carrier Type :

  • Salt Water Carrier
  • Fresh Water Carrier
  • Mixed Carrier

• By Length :

  • Less than 50 m
  • 50–75 m
  • Above 75 m

• By Capacity :

  • Less than 2500 m³
  • 2500–5000 m³
  • Above 5000 m³

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Oceania
  • Middle East & Africa